Should you be advertising your preschool dance classes?
I’m often asked by studio owners: “Should I be running ads for my preschool program?”
The answer isn’t always yes. In fact, I often tell them, “No.” You see, advertising works best when three things are already in place:
Your classes feel consistent and professional.
You have a clear message about what makes your program different.
You’re prepared to welcome and convert new families the right way.
Without these three pieces, ads can bring traffic but not enrollment. At least, not the amount of enrollment we like to see for our studios in the Little Dancer Program.
And when those pieces are in place, timing matters too. Preschool ads tend to perform best:
Late spring: This is when parents are planning fall activities, especially if they have older kids too.
Early fall: You’ll find families whose oldest are preschoolers often looking at extracurriculars then. They’ve settled into their preschool routines and may be looking to add something new.
January: Routines often reset and families may welcome a new activity here.
But even then, ads are only one piece of the puzzle. They are not the be-all-end-all. Think of ads more like the icing or even cherry on top.
Your true growth powerhouses are going to be parent referrals, community partnerships, and events like storytimes and festivals. Your ad marketing often works best when some heard about you from a friend or saw you at a ballerina storytime or town festival. The ads serve as a reminder that they had wanted to look into your studio or even register.
Inside the Little Dancer Program, we provide studios with multiple marketing approaches—so you’re not left to rely on ads. You don’t have to run ads to run a thriving studio. And if you choose to, I want you to have the other pieces in place so ads do the job they’re meant for.
Soon, we’ll be shifting gears a bit. I want to share with you a story of a teacher at one of our program studios.
Be back soon!
Ashley and the Little Dancer Team
